Severus pretended to look over essays as his class of Slytherins and Gryffindors left the classroom but he was only staying behind because of the hope that Draco would stop by and have a conversation. Or at least make eye contact. Severus was not a man who cared too much about feelings, his own or other people's and especially not the dramatic ones of teenage boys but knowing the complicated relationship Draco had shared with his father before his parents' untimely death made him take his godfatherly duties far more seriously. He had caught Draco calling the Granger kid a mudblood, a word whose consequences he had suffered far too gravely. He believed he had done everything right, not reacting in the moment, making the kid write lines, then giving him a measured punishment of washing out his mouth and six of the best on the seat of his pants and then assigning an essay for longer reflection. Despite his atrocious behavior, Severus had actually extended comfort after the punishment was over but the brat had shoved him away and had been resolutely ignoring him ever since.

Severus thought of Albus would say this was like Kamra getting back at him for all the times he sulked after well deserved punishments from Albus but having been there wasn't giving him too many ideas about how to break Draco out of it. He was particularly worried as Draco wasn't just ignoring him but he was slowly retreating into a shell. He knew that the idiots Draco used to hang around with because of his father, Crabbe and Goyle wouldn't really last as his friends much longer after his father wasn't around to pressurize him but it was unnerving to see the little slytherin prince try to be as invisible as possible.

Severus physically shook his head, rebuking himself from thinking like a Gryffindor, getting all tangled in feelings. He was the boy's head of house and godfather and an extremely successful and cunning Slytherin at that. He could easily manipulate Draco into seeing the folly of his ways.

When he saw Draco had almost reached the door, without really thinking it through, he said, "Mr Malfoy, a word please?"

Draco just turned and walked up to his desk. He kept looking through the papers till all the students filed out of the classroom and was a little surprised when Draco just waited patiently, never looking up. Finally, he closed the door with his wand and moved away from the table, opening his arms for a hug, "Come here, snake."

"No thank you, sir."

"Draco, you've been punished, it's over, come on now."

"Sir, with all due respect, as my potions professor you really shouldn't be hugging me."

Severus sighed, then said, "Have it your way. As your Head of House, I must deal with the matter of your reducing food intake and social interactions."

When Draco said nothing, Severus prompted, "So what do you have to say for yourself young man? And don't try to lie to me. I've been a spy for much of my life, I can easily keep track of my godson's food and friends."

"I haven't been feeling very well, sir."

"What hurts?"

"Well, my bottom."

"As it should."

"And my heart, chest and stomach." Severus wasn't sure if he believed the boy, Draco was after all known to be cunning and manipulative but he decided to give the boy the benefit of the doubt.

"A visit to Madame Pomfrey, then. Come along."

"No thank you, sir. I'm sure it will get better by itself in a couple of days."

"Did I miss the announcement about you becoming a healer?"

When Draco still refused to look up from the floor, Severus softened his tone and said, "Draco, if you want, I can heal you too. But that's the only choice you have. Me or Madame Pomfrey."

Severus was expecting a grudging, 'fine, run the diagnostic and give me the nasty potions' and was very surprised to hear, "I'll go the hospital ward, professor."

"Alright then, come along."

"You don't need to escort me there, Professor."

"I believe I'd be remiss in my duties as Head of House if I didn't do that. Enough stalling, let's go."

They walked up the castle in silence. Madam Pomfrey didn't show her surprise on seeing Severus bring his godson to her as the potions master tended to most of the little scrapes of his snakes on his own.

"Hello there, Professor, and Mr Malfoy. What brings you here this afternoon?"

"I'd like you to run a full physical on Mr Malfoy here."

"What hurts, child?"

"My bottom. Can you heal it, ma'am?" Poppy almost laughed thinking about the number of times Severus himself had tried this trick. She maintained a serious tone as she said, "No can do, Mr Malfoy. That sore bottom shall remain so, till it finishes teaching you the intended lesson."

Both of them were shocked to hear Severus say, "You can go ahead and heal him, Poppy. I don't think there will be any soreness by now but if it is, you have my permission to heal it."

"Okay then, I'll get the salve. Mr Malfoy why don't you bare your bottom and lie on the bed? I'll rub the salve in."

"No!"

"Excuse me?" That was Severus. "The good woman is trying to help you, you will respect her and mind her instructions."

"I don't want her help."

"Draco, you are skirting on thin ice, I suggest you reign in that temper, accept the help and we can work this out. You really don't want to do this the hard way. I really don't want to do this the hard way."

"What's the point? You're just going to hit me again." And he ran out of the hospital ward.

Severus stood there for a moment, started chasing the boy, then thought better of it and came back, "I apologize for his behavior, Poppy. I'll address it. Thank you for your time."

"Don't worry, Severus, this is nothing but deja-vu. I had a boy just like that, a couple decades back now, but just the same."

Severus blushed and said, "Good day, Madame."

Severus had a fairly good idea about where he'd find the boy, in his potions lab. It frustrated Severus to no end, that the boy had made his extremely dangerous and off limits potions lab his sanctuary of sorts, first at Prince Manor and now at Hogwarts. He hadn't been the most consistent with punishments for going into the lab without permission when the child was there to hide from overwhelming feelings and he kind of regretted that now, as it had done nothing to stop the kid from running into his lab when he was upset.

He took his time walking back to the Dungeons, giving both of them some time to calm down and gathering his courage and resolve to do right by his Godson, even if that meant making him cry again.